This post is the first in a monthly series of posts I will be writing as part of a fantastic group of women who I’m linking up with on the 20th of each month. There is a topic of the month and we will all share a book and activity that goes along with that theme. You can use the links at the bottom of this post to see all of our books/activities. Use the linky tool below to share your own bird related links this month too!
Backyard Birds!
One of my great joys in life has been observing my backyard birds. When we moved from California to Oregon, one of the first things I requested of my husband was to put up all our birdfeeders. I could hardly wait to see who would visit in this new habitat!
We started watching our own backyard birds many years ago when my children were all still homeschooling. The boys created birdfeeders to put up right outside the window so we could look for birds while we were working on our school activities. At first we didn’t know very many of the bird’s names, but using a field guide over several years we were able to correctly identify about a dozen birds. The habit of bird watching has continued even into their adult years and I like to think that starting them young was a motivating factor for their love of birds.
A Valuable Addition to Your Nature Library
(Note there are affiliate links in this post)
One of the books we had on our windowsill was the Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists – Backyard Birds (written by Jonathan P. Latimer ISBN 9780395922767). It was simple to page through and use as a way to familiarize ourselves with many of the most frequently seen birds in North America. The book is organized by color of bird and is beautifully illustrated. It’s a wonderful supplement to any bird nature study activity or even as an additional resource for a study of flying creatures. It has always had a special spot in our nature book library.
It’s a valuable first bird guide for your children and it will lead you right into a more thorough field guide as your skills improve and you become more engrossed in identifying every bird that visits your feeder.
Backyard Bird Activity
Black and White Birds Nature Study Using the Backyard Birds Book
Would you like to see an idea for using this book with your own backyard birds?
Black and White Birds and Bird Feet: – Click Here!
Use this activity (see step #3 in the challenge for the reference to the Backyard Birds book) to learn more about the chickadee, nuthatch, and woodpecker. I have included lots of links and ideas for you to use with your family.
I have written a whole series of bird related nature study challenges that go along with the Backyard Birds book. You will find the details here: Learning About Birds with the Outdoor Hour Challenge.
Make sure to scroll down on the page and find the link to the sample for this ebook.
You can find this book in both the Ultimate and Journey level memberships on the Handbook of Nature Study.
Please note we will be working through all of the Outdoor Hour Challenges in the Learning About Birds ebook starting on March 2, 2018. Make sure to subscribe to my blog to follow along with those bird-related nature study activities.
Link Up Guidelines
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- Choose an engaging nature book, do a craft or activity, and add your post to our monthly link up.
- The link up party goes live at 9:00 a.m. EST on the 20th of each month and stays open until the last day of the month. Hurry to add your links!
- You can link up to 3 posts. Please do not link up advertising posts, advertise other link up parties, your store, or non-related blog posts. They will be removed.
- By linking up with us, you agree for us to share your images and give you credit of course if we feature posts.
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The Nature Book Club is brought to you by the nature loving bloggers and your cohosts! Be sure to follow them.
Here are the bloggers, their choices of books, and activities for the month.
- Something 2 Offer
Winter Bird and Nest Scavenger Hunt - The Usual Mayhem
Free artist study set (John James Audobon) - Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
(Backyard Bird Series) Cardinals – Free Northern Cardinal Unit Study & Lapbook. - Rule This Roost
Birdfeeder Tutorial - Hide The Chocolate
Those Darn Squirrels Fly South – Migration - The Homeschool Scientist
Birds Nests and Eggs – Make a Suet Feeder
Marci is also generously giving away a copy of her Backyard Science ebook as a free gift until 2/4/18! Use the code bookclub to receive your free copy! Thanks Marci! - Forgetful Momma
Snowy Owl Craft - Table Life Blog
A Nest is Noisy – Art Project. - Eva Varga
Ravens in Winter – Winter Bird ID - Wind in a Letterbox
Birds for Beginners in Southern Africa – Nature Journal Entry - Rainy Day Mum
Coming Home – Needle Felted Robin - Handbook of Nature Study
Backyard Birds Field Guide for Young Naturalist – Black and White Birds and Free Feet Types Notebook Page - The Playful Scholar
Making Suet Feeders
I’m going to have to check this book out.
There is a whole series so look for them at your library!
The Peterson guide books are my favorites! I have many and they are all well-worn.
We have a whole shelf of these and have used them for many years!
So excited to participate right along with you!
Thanks!